Global cash report reveals cash payments are on the increase

Cash is still by far the most widely used form of payment in all regions of the world and cash in circulation is growing, according to a new report published by G4S.

The ‘World Cash Report’ surveyed 47 countries covering 75% of the global population and over 90% of the world’s GDP. The findings show that demand for cash continues to rise globally, despite the increase in electronic payment options, including mobile in recent years. Cash in circulation relative to GDP has increased to 9.6% across all continents, up from 8.1% in 2011.

The report highlights the variety of payment habits in different regions. In Europe 80% of point-of-sale transactions are conducted in cash, while in North America, where card payments are most regularly used, cash use still accounts for 31%. In Asia the rise of online purchases does not mean that cash is taken out of the equation, with more than 3 out of every 4 online purchases in a number of countries paid for by cash on delivery.

“Cash remains fundamental in our day to day global economy. The evidence shows that contrary to popular opinion, demand for cash is growing in absolute terms and relative to GDP,” says Jesus Rosano, Chief Executive, Global Cash Division, G4S.

“People trust cash; it’s free to use and readily available for consumers, it’s confidential, it can’t be hacked and it doesn’t run out of battery power– these unique qualities continue to hold significant value to people living on all continents.

“Above all, the World Cash Report highlights that wherever people are in the world, they use and value a range of payment options. There is no region where everyone chooses the same way to pay and cash remains hugely important all over the world.

“Because cash will continue as an important payment option it is essential that businesses and institutions continue to manage the cash cycle efficiently.”

What are the benefits of cash?

Cost-efficiency

For consumers and still for many businesses cash is the most cost efficient payment method.

Inclusion

All over the world people prefer to use cash, and for many people it is the only viable payment method. Businesses that stop using cash are excluding a material portion of the society and risk losing customers.

Trust

There are no third parties involved in cash payment other than the buyer and seller.

Reliability

Cash is not reliant on electronic infrastructure, and therefore is not subject to any outages causing non-availability of the service.

Accessibility

Physical cash is readily available and does not incur any additional charges for customers. It also allows for better budgeting as users can only spend what they have.

Confidentiality

Cash is direct. You don’t have to hand over personal information and what you buy is confidential.

Top facts

Cash remains the most widely used payment instrument in the world on all continents. Cash in circulation relative to GDP has increased to 9.6% across all continents, up from 8.1% in 2011. South America has by far the highest cash dependency relative to its GDP (16%)

2. Globally, the value of ATM withdrawals experienced a positive (average weighted) growth rate of 4.6% in 2015. In North America, the value of ATM withdrawals has largely stabilised, growing only marginally, however cash is still used for over 50% of small-value transactions under $25.

3. In Europe 79% of point of sale transactions are in cash. In 2016, 60% of all transactions in Europe were made in cash.

4. 75% of countries report cash is used in over 50% of transactions. 24 of the studied countries had available cash surveys. Of those, 18 reported that cash was used in over 50% of transactions.

5. Businesses that do not typically accept cash have seen growth when they introduced a cash option. Uber, who’s biggest selling point is their electronic payment system, saw exponential growth when they introduced a cash option in Asia, Africa and South America.

6. In many countries in Asia and the Middle East, 3 in 4 online purchases are paid for by cash on delivery. The increase in online purchase has not taken cash out of the equation.

7. Just two countries show a significant decline in cash payments. In South Korea (cash use 14%) the government has a project in place to reduce coin circulation, while in Sweden (cash use 20%) electronic payments have seen a huge rise.

8. Paper money was introduced during the Song Dynasty in China in the 11th century. Coins first appeared approximately 2500 years ago. The first European banknotes were issued by Stockholm’s Banco, a predecessor of the Bank of Sweden, in 1661.

9. Two thirds of people in the world have a bank account. Cash is fundamental to financial inclusion. It allows everyone, including the unbanked, to participate in our day-to-day society. There are just under a third of the world’s population (2 billion people) without access to a bank account.

10. There are 164 official national currencies circulating around the world. Some of the 197 countries share the same currency (most notably the 19 countries in the Euro area), while others have more than one currency within their country (such as Panama and Bhutan).

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